Hey, hey, hey, folks. Today, I have with me the super-duper writer, critiquer, blogger, and fellow antho buddy, Jennifer M. Eaton. I can’t say enough about Jennifer. We met through Nathan Bradford’s site two years ago and she has proven to be a great friend, incredible author and the best cheerleader anyone could have. Her short story, LAST WINTER RED, (you can read an excerpt here) is her first published piece, but it won’t be her last. How about a warm greeting for Jennifer M. Eaton!
Hi Jennifer. Welcome to The Dreamweaver’s Cottage. Thanks for taking time out of your very busy schedule to talk with me.
I’m happy to be here. I needed a break from blowing up stuff in my novel.
Yeah, sure you did. You never get tired of exploding things but we’ll get to that later. What I’d like you to do is tell everyone why they should read your short story, LAST WINTER RED.
Everyone knows what they believe in, but no one knows what they’d do if they found out everything they believe in is a lie.
I know when we talked the beginning of the year, you said 2012 was going to be the year you would become a published author. Besides LAST WINTER RED, have you written any other short stories that will release soon? Do you have any novels in the works?
Goals for future projects? I have a snappy novella all lined up in an outline. I’m looking forward to digging in to it as soon as I complete my current project … which is an action packed Young Adult novel based in New Jersey, with a spicy twist on an old tale with an explosive finish. I’m super excited about it. Both of these tales have a teenage girl as the main character. Ordinary girls suddenly faced with decisions that will decide the fate of the world.
Sounds like you’ve got it all mapped out and you’re on a roll. That’s fantastic and very inspirational. It is obvious you love to write. What gives you the most pleasure in writing?
I love creating new worlds. Writing has always been a bit of escapism for me. Most TV bores me. Why would I want to watch TV when I can create a world of my own? I do admit that I catch a comedy here and there. Probably because I cannot write comedy. Hmmmm. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever tried.
Readers seem to like it when I ask the following question. I suppose it helps them to get a feel for workspace and give an insight into the type of person you are. So, with that said, what items must you always have around you when you write?
Chocolate. Piles and Piles of Chocolate. Right now, I have chocolate covered cranberries, chocolate covered pistachios, pretzels and a Gatorade on my desk. You know… the basic staples. If it were colder, I’d trade up the Gatorade with Godiva Hot Chocolate. Yummy!
Hmm, you, Lynda Young and Kelly Said should probably get together. Lynda is a dark chocolate junkie and Kelly likes M&Ms on popcorn. I wonder…do all Make Believe authors have a chocolate fetish? I know I do. Hmm, I should probably find out, but I digress. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Never give up, never surrender. Getting published takes work. Admit what you don’t know, and go out and learn it. Admit where your writing lacks, and find someone who can help you make it better. If you dedicate yourself, you can make anything happen.
This seems to be a common theme among published authors, probably because we’ve been where aspiring authors are, and if we can get published through hard work and perseverance, so can you. Speaking of hard work and perseverance…now that you are on your way to being a well-known author, I have a cool question for you. You’ve just won a million dollars for your writing. What’s the first thing you do with the money (besides pay the taxes on it).
Awe! I have to pay taxes on it first? Shoot! Okay, with the $55,000 I have left… I would probably take my family on vacation. By “my family” I mean my husband and kids, and sisters, my husband’s brothers and sisters and their kids. I don’t get to see my brother and sisters enough, and it is always something that I wanted to do. Yeah, I could have given the canned “charity” answer, but I decided to be honest.
I like honesty. It’s a fine trait to possess. And speaking of honesty, what is your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate… but I don’t really feel guilty about it.
When you were 12 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a veterinarian. I guess most kids want to do that at one time or another. I lost that dream in high school when I sat down one day and started writing a story just for the fun of it. 800 pages later, an author was born. Of course, it took me quite a few years to act on that to make it more than a hobby.
What a co-inky-dink. I wanted to be a vet, too. Chemistry class killed that dream though, when I tried to burn down the chemistry lab in college, but that’s another story all together.
What is your favorite television show of all time?
I used to really enjoy Lost, but I have to admit that I have not seen the last two seasons yet. My husband and I started watching Lost from the first episode on Netflix, but we stopped at around the same place … right after the “others” arrived. I don’t know why we originally stopped watching. Now, it is really a time-crunch thing. There are not enough hours in the day for me to write, blog, network, and market in the short time between tucking my kids in and collapsing in my own bed.
Wow, you are a busy little woman, which makes it all more fabulous that you found time to talk to little ole me. I am honored.
Okay folks. Now that you’ve read an excerpt of LAST WINTER RED, and met the talented author behind the words, head on over and pick up your very own copy of Make Believe. The links are below for easy pickings. Also, don’t forget to connect with Jennifer on her blog, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
amazon.com, Barnes&Noble, ARe, Books on Board, diesel books, eBookMall, eBookPie, gohastings.com
YA Chit Chat 